Goodnight Little Spoon

Etsy Loves | Bike Accessories

2012-02-18T01:19:00.002+11:00

1. Crochet Skirt Guard
2. Red Bike Planter
3. Bicycle Handlebar Covers
4. Leather Bicycle Can Cage
5. Retro Gal Vinyl Helmet Decal
6. Handmade Saddlebags

Yesterday I noticed (after hearing a whole lot of rattling) that the back fender on my bike has broken in two. It's made of aluminium, so I'm not sure how I'm going to get it back together, sadly! That's a project for another day. In the meantime, I have to ride around making a whole lot of ruckus. I'm always looking for new ways to adorn my humble steed. When she's fixed I'm going to buy a new bit of bike decor. I have a few little DIY bike decor projects in mind.

Film Friday | Jane Eyre

2012-02-17T21:20:00.001+11:00

Cam and I became members of the Launceston Film Society last year and it is one of the things I look forward to most in my week. The LFS is the largest film society in Australia and I think that alone suggests that it's a very good one. We were also members of the Newcastle Film Society when we lived on the mainland, but it pales in comparison. There are 3 screenings of each film per week (Mon, Wed, Thurs - you can only attend one screening per week) which is held at the local cinema. Often each screening is completely full (about 450 people), so we usually have sushi for dinner nearby and head in to get a seat a little early.

The movies range from interesting art house films that didn't make it here during their screenings, to foreign, Australian and old and obscure. I have seen some of my favourite films at film society that I probably would never have had the opportunity to see otherwise. LFS costs $100 per year and as it is in high demand, you go on a waiting list for about 6-12 months to become a member.

$100 to see a film almost every week of the year feels like nothing, especially when you compare it to the price of a regular movie ticket. I receive a brochure at the start of each season which gives a running list of what film is on each week, but I like not to read it. It is great to see a movie without any expectations or prior knowledge about it.

Have you checked out any film societies? Have you investigated the one in your city? Please do!

I decided I might do a little review of each film I see at film society when I get the chance, inspired by Laura and Katyha's mini reviews. This week the film was Jane Eyre.

This was not a movie I would ever have picked off the video store shelf to watch. I find films representing this era often so lacking when it comes to 3-dimensional, interesting female characters, but Jane Eyre is all that. There is never a moment where Jane is dependent upon a male; she is independent, intelligent and makes decisions for herself despite her social standing.

Without giving away too much of the plot (if you don't already know the centuries-old Bronte story); Jane Eyre is an orphan raised by a begrudging aunt, who ships her off to boarding school for good - upon graduating and turning 18, Jane begins work as the governess to the ward of the master of Thornfield Hall, where the story unfolds.

I really enjoyed this film, perhaps more-so because I had never seen any of the 11(!) other film adaptations of it. Mia Wasikowska (Alice In Wonderland, The Kids Are All Right) plays the titular character and really made the movie for me with modest, careful, powerful acting. I also like that Michael Fassbender's (X-Men, Inglourious Basterds) character is initially so unlikable; seemingly with no redeeming qualities, so cold and abrupt. The plot unravels at a really careful pace and the supporting cast (including Dame Judy Dench) really pad out the edges of the film nicely. It is an elegant, dark movie and the rich gothic scenery is just another element that made this film a joy to watch.

Worn | Red Obsessed

2012-02-14T19:48:00.001+11:00

My friend Sara and I had a lovely day together getting some little things done (included: a quick trip to the opshop and seeing battery powered candles, climbing up a tower and being able to see all over town, filling a basket with cute hair-clips and earrings for a market stall on the weekend, eating cheese - we always eat cheese, and purchasing a giant suitcase). When she dropped me home these lovely shoes were waiting for me to tear open their box. They are just lovely, smell delicious (Melissas always do) and are pretty damn comfy. Despite my initial parade around, they will be being kept in their box for a little while longer for a special occasion though.

+ dress: Target
+ shoes: Melissa Red Flock Patchulis (I bought mine on eBay)
+ hairband: made by my Nanna
+ stockings: Sussan
+ belt: thrifted

Monday List | Lady Names

2012-02-13T15:25:00.000+11:00

Sometimes when I'm bored I like to go to Births, Deaths and Marriages websites and scroll through the top 100 names from each year. My favourite decade for names would have to be the 1920s. These are some names from the 20s - 30s that I adore. It's nice that a lot of them are making a resurgence and oddly spelt made-up names are taking a back seat for a bit (Abcde anyone?).

Any favourite names from decades past to share?

My extended old-fashioned lady names list is on Listography.

100 Ideas | Week Six

2012-02-12T23:37:00.002+11:00

This week I chose the idea: Create a graph documenting or measuring something in your life.
This topic was chosen in haste, but I'd love to make some more graphs documenting inane things.

I love a good graph almost as much as I love a good list. One of my all-time favourite zines is called Statistical Analysis of Things That Happen But Don't Matter and Everything Else by Sarah McNeil (who also does awesome illustrations) that is full of awesome little graphs and charts, like these ones:

To see the rest of my Keri Smith ideas posts, click here.

Collage | Scraps

2012-02-10T02:05:00.001+11:00

+ Tonight's collaging. That 'Ugly Fat Can Ruin Your Life' ad is so ridiculous. Does the modern media deserve a pinch of credit for being more subtle in their body shaming? ...No.

I love collage. It is probably my favourite art making medium. The Sketchbook Project really challenged me and made me realise that I should be making more for myself in my own spare time. It was bittersweet to send that book away and know I'll never get to flip through all of my collages again. I really need to make myself a new journal (after going to book binding class I feel like I should never buy another journal again!) and start collaging in it. I like to collage while watching sports. I find that's when I'm at my collaging best. Tonight was Mad Men watching collage time.

+ Collage 2, made from scraps of collage 1.

I really love the variety of collage. It is such a beautiful form of recycling. While I'm talking about my love for collage, I thought I'd share some images by my favourite artists who use collage in their work;

+ Peter Clark

+ Bill Zindel

+ Jordan Clarke

+ Lilliana Pereira

+ Julian Pacaud

+ Natalie Malik

+ Karena Colquhoun

+ Beth Hoeckel

+ James Drinkwater (street trash collage)

+ Dani Sanchis

+ Luci Everett

Who are some of your favourite artists? I'd love to know.

Worn | Ketchup and Mustard

2012-02-08T18:10:00.002+11:00

As Scathingly Brilliant says; it is mandatory to title an outfit post wherein you're wearing red and yellow - 'ketchup and mustard' ;)

I love this hat. I wish I had bought it at the start of Summer. I would have worn it so much! I'll have to appropriate it as a Winter accessory too. Today I've just been dawdling around my house. I have three days off work (I never have three days off in a row) and I'm trying to think of things to do to make the most of the time. I go back to university in two weeks, then the juggling will recommence. I am looking forward to being forced to create things again.

+ dress: kitten paws vintage
+ coat: nanna's coffee & vintage
+ shoes: harajuku lovers
+ tights: sussan
+ hat: asos
+ belt: thrifted

DIYs on my to-do list

2012-02-08T13:58:00.002+11:00

+ Manzanita's fabric embroidery hoop home decor DIY.

+ Honestly WTF's felted elbow patch DIY

+ Megan's marbled nail tutorial

Modcloth's DIY Valentines heart wreath

Tiny Angry Crafter's felt heart garland

Design Sponge's DIY pouf

Katie's dip-dyed old sweater mittens

A is for Ampersand's chalkboard mug restyle

Old & New

2012-02-08T04:13:00.000+11:00

This is that obligatory post that follows after a new layout change, just thought I'd let you know. I am terrible at visiting blogs in person and not just browsing posts through the convenience of Google Reader, so I often don't see posts in their blog homes. I think it's nicer to visit blogs and read posts there.

I just wanted something a bit fresher in a layout for the new year, with lots of white space. I think content can get lost in a layout that is too cluttered. I really enjoyed my old layout and maybe one day I'll revert back to it, but a change is fun.

In case you were wondering, this is what my layout looked like before:

And this is her now:

I can only imagine I'll be tweaking bits and pieces some more. I can never please myself!

Some blogs with layouts I adore:
+ Here's Looking At Me Kid
+ SF Girl By Bay
+ Delightfully Tacky
+ Pugly Pixel
+ Tick Tock Vintage
+ Scathingly Brilliant
+ A Thought Is The Blossom
+ A Is For Ampersand
+ Dori The Giant
+ Little Chief Honeybee
+ Love Katyha
+ Jane Boston

100 Ideas | Week Five

2012-02-06T16:00:00.001+11:00

This week I chose the idea: 10 Things I'd like to do every day. Care to share yours?

Freeing the Mandalas

2012-02-06T15:17:00.000+11:00

I've been drawing these mandala shapes non stop for about a year and I've decided to stop. I've really enjoyed drawing them, but they end up dominating everything that I draw (not to mention it feeling a little bit like going insane from drawing too many polka dots). I'm finished with them. I made this hand drawn sheet of mandalas up for a project and never used it. So, I'm giving it to you. I've given it a Creative Commons license in Flickr - so, if you'd like to use it for anything at all - you're welcome to. Let me know if you end up using them for something - I'd love to see.

+ I printed it out as some wrapping paper.

Download the image here.

Just A Minute...

2012-01-30T23:49:00.000+11:00

...in January

+ There were some pretty sunsets.

+ I ate my first ever fruit mince pie. And then I ate the whole packet.

+ I also ate a pop tart and some Nanna's afternoon tea.

+ My cats were lazy as always.

+ I found some cool record covers, but nothing worth buying.

+ I wore a bow and a little hat.

+ I sent my friend a cool print (that never arrived, wah!) and I unearthed my Frankie collection (still trying to find a couple of the missing issues).

+ I started a little project with some vintage Valentines.

+ I spent a whole lot of time at Summer School.

+ I helped my friend christen her new couch and bought fresh flowers for my house.

+ I embraced yellow.

+ I bought my niece and nephew who were visiting a crazy straw.

+ I celebrated my mother in law's 66th birthday.

+ I went to the aquatic centre and went on the diving board and big slide three times each.

+ A new kitty came into my life.

+ I received cute cat salt and pepper shakers and gave some cute toys.

+ And my bike got a big workout.

Watching: New Girl, Pan Am, Vampire Diaries, the Australian Open, Unbreakable, Dexter S1.
Purchasing: Papery supplies, vintage Valentines.
Listening to: M83, Fleet Foxes, Paul Kelly.
Loving: My tiny kitten.
Making: Books and collages.
Consuming: Fruit mince pies, ice blocks, yoghurt & honey.
Wanting: Pocket money for fun things.

Making | Books Pt. 2

2012-01-30T15:55:00.002+11:00

This is Part 2 of my book making from Summer School (here is Part 1). I really enjoyed making these books and I like how they turned out (though they're just my prototypes - I'd love to make more).

C had to teach me a little life lesson though about choosing whose criticism to accept when people comment on your work, after someone told me they didn't like them. I think that's really important to think about especially when you are a creative person. You can put a whole lot of joy and inspiration into something and then get shot down by one off handed comment and it makes you look at your work differently. Just because I wouldn't say something negative about someone's work when they show it to me, doesn't mean that they won't to my work. To each their own I guess. So, that aside, these are two books I made at Summer School to house some of my pretty received mail.

Book one: Letter holder book with vinyl cover - I taped two letters at a time together down one edge then stitched them into the book like pages. This was my first time using vinyl, so I tried to use PVA glue to adhere it to the inner cardboard (which made the cardboard kind of mushy and malleable inside the vinyl, but I'm okay with that). The buttons on either side do up with a hairband. The buttons were given to me by a girl in my class, they belonged to her grandmother. The letters can be removed from the envelopes, but the envelopes are stitched in.

Book two: Postcard book with hand-painted cover - similarly to the book above, I taped two postcards at a time together on one edge, then stitched them down the tape into the book to create pages. I like this as a kind of coffee table book to flick through. When it went on display at our exhibition I felt a bit funny about having all my postcards read, but I decided I was okay with it.

Still going to try to do some little book making tutorials when I get around to it! :)

The Sketchbook Project Complete

2012-01-30T14:33:00.000+11:00

I finished all my Sketchbook Project 2012 pages and am sending it off today (with no days to spare!). I thought I'd just make a slideshow of the pictures, rather than bombarding you with an image heavy post. Click through if you like.

100 Ideas | Week Four

2012-01-29T14:05:00.000+11:00

This week I chose the idea: Illustrate your grocery list for my challenge. I am terrible at shopping because 1) I work at a supermarket, so I never want to go to them outside of work and 2) I live 30 seconds from a supermarket, so C just goes to get items one by one as we need them. I have never actually used a shopping trolley before - I've never bought more than a basket load.

So instead of illustrating my own grocery list (I couldn't think of anything I needed) - I illustrated some shopping lists I found at my work (people leave them in their baskets). I think I'll be on the look out for more shopping lists at work to draw now. I pulled out my Derwents for the first time in about 5 years which was a good feeling. This idea reminded me of a blog I used to go to called Shopping Losts wherein the blogger would collect shopping lists and then recreate them typographically in Photoshop.

Last night I finished my Sketchbook Project journal and will be scanning it today and sending it off tomorrow. I will be so sad to see it go. The Australian Open has been on these past few weeks and I've been sitting and collaging while I watch my favourite tennis players (<3 Nadal), relaxing!

What are some creative things you've been up to this week?

100 Ideas | Week Three

2012-01-24T22:19:00.003+11:00

I'm a few days behind in my Keri Smith challenge as I've been busy with family from interstate this week, but I did start this one last week. Last week I chose the idea 'Write a letter to yourself in the future', but after seeing Joy The Baker's post about making a time capsule, I couldn't resist taking it a little further.

So, I wrote myself a letter for the future, put it in a box and started filling it with little bits and pieces. Things that I can forget about for a while and won't need desperately, but things I'll really enjoy uncovering in five years. I haven't labeled the items like Joy did, but I like that some of the things I put in this box might be a bit of a mystery for me. I did label all of the instant photos.

+ Deciding on some things to put in.

Some things in the box:
+ a neck warmer my best friend knitted me
+ a mix cd containing some of my favourite songs at the moment (entitled the "I hope they have cd players in the future" mix)
+ a whole bunch of instant photos from 2011
+ one of my current payslips (I'm hoping life might be a bit different monetarily in 2017)
+ a badge from my work
+ a lavender pillow (it will make everything smell good)
+ a collage I made
+ a pamphlet about MONA (one of my top 3 places on earth)
+ a vintage Valentine (this will have a lot of meaning after this year)
+ the badge from the Summer school I just completed
+ a bicycle badge made by Isis
+ an embroidery I did
+ one of my postcards
+ a letter to my future self
+ a letter from C to my future self (which I've not read)

Now I am going to bury this box in the depths of my spare bedroom wardrobe and not open it up until the 24th January 2017. I will be 27.
I'm pretty sure you should go make yourself a time capsule now!

Dexter

2012-01-23T13:07:00.002+11:00

Last night C and I were riding to his parents house for his mum's 66th birthday party and we rode down a really dodgy street. I call C the cat whisperer because if he sees a cat, he makes that little clicking noise with his tongue and cats immediately run up to him and roll onto their belly for a pat.

In the street we saw a sweet year old cat with a collar and then a tiny kitten ran out from under a parked car and wanted a pat too. He was very grubby and covered in fleas and the street wasn't far from a very busy road. He didn't seem to belong to any of the houses, but we rode off and left him with the other cats in the street. When we rode past at 10pm he was still out on the road wandering around and (after some short but intense deliberating) we made the decision to put him in our backpack and ride with him home.

It felt really dodgy taking him, but to me, a dirty, starving, flea-ridden four/five week old kitten out on the street at 10pm near a busy road at night doesn't have a responsible owner. You might feel differently. When we got him home he ate like he had never eaten before. He has a lovely, kind nature, follows us around and walks about purring all day. I didn't even think about what we'd name him, as soon as we picked him up he was Dexter. I said to C that we are such 'fangirls', naming our cats after our favourite singers and tv shows, ha.

So, I have four cats. FOUR CATS. I know that sounds ridiculous. It is ridiculous. But I do. They are all clean (except Dexter, still working on that), wormed and flea treated, they get along and spend a lot of time sitting outside in the sun or curled up on our beds. I guess I just didn't want anyone to think I'm living in squalor with my four cats, haha. If I were ever able to, I'd love to be able to foster stray cats until they found homes.

Maybe my cat rescuing adventure had something to do with reading this book at the moment.

Ps. How great is Kitties and Bullshit?

Mail | Incoming

2012-01-21T18:52:00.001+11:00

Just a couple of mail bits and pieces.

+ A lovely bunch of papery bits from Crystal. I love her mail art.

+ Sarah sent me some awesome ephemera. She has so many papery goodies in her shop.

+ A cute postcard from James T

+ I bought this sweet little zine by Natalie of Awkward & Beautiful.

Making | Books Pt. 1

2012-01-21T18:38:00.000+11:00

These last two weeks I've been attending an intensive Summer School at my university. Instead of completing a subject in 13 weeks, as is done in regular semesters, we completed one subject in about 8 days (making, all day every day) - I wish all subjects could be done that way! My class was called The Artist's Book and I made about eight books in total. It wasn't nearly as rushed or scary as I thought it would be, with lots of time for sitting and chatting and learning the skills and gathering inspiration. We still won't find out our mark for a few weeks, but I had so much fun and now I want to make books all the time. I'm still waiting for a couple of the books to be returned from the little exhibition we had yesterday, but here are the first few (bearing in mind, I am still very much a novice at book binding).

1: Coptic Binding with collaged hard cover and internal painted signatures.

2: Saddle stitch binding with varied collected paper pages.

3: Japanese stab binding.

4: Concertina lamp with drawn and stitched motifs and paper cuts.

5: Chinese star book.

I'd love to put together a little post on how to make some of the easier ones. Let me know if that's something you'd be keen on :)

100 Ideas | Week Two

2012-01-15T22:09:00.000+11:00

This week in the challenge I chose another easy one - my ten most important things (not including people or animals). I found it so hard to think of ten things. I really don't value things very much. Of course, if my bike or computer were to break or get stolen, I'd be pretty upset, but both things are entirely replaceable (money permitting). I have a few items of sentimental value, but thankfully the internet is good at preserving photographs and music and the like. This list reminded me of the Burning House project (via Laura), which I adore. I have been meaning to submit a photo there for ages.

If you'd like to play along, feel free to link up! The original 100 Ideas list is here.

Photo A Day Cont.

2012-01-13T13:38:00.001+11:00

Here are a few more pictures from the #JanPhotoADay challenge:

Day 5 : Something I wore

Day 6 : Makes Me Smile (that C lets me and enjoys having his nails painted)

Day 7 : Favourite (boy)

Day 8 : Sky

Day 9 : Daily routine

Day 10 : Childhood (the first time I was in the newspaper, I'm in the middle)

Day 11 : Where I sleep

Day 12 : Close up

Day 13 : In my bag (purse)

I'm so enjoying this challenge. I'll be sad when it's over!

List | Favourite Lists

2012-01-12T23:31:00.000+11:00

+ Image via.

Here are some of my favourite lists from around the internet.

Keri Smiths's 100 ideas
Sarah Rooftop's out of the ordinary moments
Woody Guthrie's 1942 resolutions list
Mocking Bird's reasons I love record stores list
Susannah Conway's ABC of important things
Vanessa Berry's weird disasters
Austin Kleon's how to steal like an artist list
All of Hula Seventy's lists (there's no way i could pick just one).
Her Library Adventures' 30 fabulous fun goals for 2012
Elsie's 28 before 29 list (because this lady gets the stuff on her lists done!)
The Oatmeal's the pro's and con's of making a pro's and con's list list

Any favourites you care to share?

Worn | Little Red Hat

2012-01-08T23:49:00.000+11:00

I bought this Peter-Pan collared shirt after work one night this week at the 24hr Kmart beside my work. I don't know why the Kmart is 24 hours, but I won't complain because I am often there at an odd hour. I have had this hat over 5 years, but never worn it because I always felt like I wasn't a 'hat person'. I'm still not sure if I am one, but I was okay with it today. My mum gave me the vintage hat pin for Christmas last year and I finally had a hat to wear it in. I was worried it would stab me at some point during the day. Today I hung out with my lovely BFF Sara and her daughter Ginger and then C and I went to see Tin Tin at the movies. I had a really good day, I hope you did too.

+ shirt: kmart + shoes: minki + hat, skivvy & skirt: unknown + hat pin: vintage.

100 Ideas | Week One

2012-01-08T23:39:00.000+11:00

For a long while I've been meaning to attempt some of the things on Keri Smith's 100 Ideas list. My plan is to tick one idea off the list each week in 2012. The ideas are pretty simple, most are 5 minute creative endeavours. There are some ideas that aren't as up my alley as others, but if I can finish 50 by the end of the year I think I'll be pretty happy with that. I am hoping that by doing these simple creative tasks, it will inspire me to think of more of my own, be more observant, make more things, be spontaneous. I'll be crossing things off the list in no particular order (just to make it more free) and posting each Sunday.

Would you like to join in?

This week I chose: Make a meal based on a colour theme.

+ V, apple, snow peas, dolmades, grapes, sour lolly bells, olives, pesto on a biscuit, avocado, kiwi fruit & baby spinach.

Green foods are my favourite, closely followed by red.

List | Fifties Time Travel

2012-01-07T23:27:00.000+11:00

What would you get up to?

Ps. When I asked C what he'd do if he could time travel to the 1950s he said, "Try to find a way back?". Boring man!

+ honeycomb pattern from pugly pixel